Is it possible to crack UPSC by self-preparation?
If you’re dwelling on this question, then you are not alone. Lakhs of students appear for the UPSC exam every year. They study dedicatedly day and night to clear the civil service examination and bag a reputed job.
It is one of the toughest exams and is conducted in three stages, i.e., Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test. That’s why you can see hundreds of advertisements from UPSC IAS coaching classes claiming to help you crack the exam. You can even see multiple IAS Coaching institutes in Faridabad claiming that the same toppers are from their institute, making it hard to choose the right one.
But is it important to study at UPSC coaching in Faridabad?
Let us burst the myth that self-preparation is not enough to crack the UPSC Civil Services exam. There has been a history of IAS toppers that emerged successfully by solely depending on self-learning and dedicating more time studying by themselves. Although we are not neglecting the fact that most candidates take guidance from coaching institutes, the same is not mandatory.
This article will take you through a self-preparation strategy to clear UPSC.
Know The UPSC CSE
Before beginning the journey, you must know the destination. It will help you choose the best route possible. Therefore, before you begin starting the UPSC preparation, understand the exam eligibility and pattern. You must check whether you are eligible to appear for the exam or not.
IAS Eligibility Overview:
| Particulars | Details |
| Age Limit | 21- 32 years |
| Age Relaxation | 3-10 years as per category |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Attempts | 6 attempts for the General Category
9 attempts for OBC There is no restriction for SC/ST candidates |
| Physical Standards | As per the Rank or post |
After checking the eligibility, you must also understand the exam pattern. As already mentioned, there are three stages to the exam: Preliminary, Main Examination, and Personality Test/Interview.
Internalize The UPSC Syllabus
Covering the entire UPSC syllabus is a big challenge in itself for every aspirant. Therefore, you first need to know the syllabus in detail and choose the optional subject accordingly. It will help you start preparing at the right time to cover the syllabus and have some spare time for practice and revision.
Having a better understanding of the syllabus will also let you relate what you read in magazines, newspapers, and current affairs sources.
Plan Your Preparation And Follow The Plan
After acquiring information about the eligibility, pattern, and syllabus, it’s time to focus on creating a plan for your self-preparation. Make a studying schedule and proper plan that you can follow. When you don’t have the guidance or support of a UPSC IAS coaching institute, it becomes crucial to make a dedicated plan and follow it rigorously. While self-studying, it is important to instill discipline and avoid all sorts of distractions.
Make Notes And Revise
Making notes while learning is a good way to memorize things for a long time and have something for a quick revision. It is necessary to make relevant and crisp notes when you self-study for the UPSC exam, whether the information is from textbooks, newspapers, or current affairs sources. Also, don’t forget to revise regularly, which will help you retain better. The more you revise, the better you will perform in exams.
Get Help When Required
Like you, many other aspirants may not have opted for IAS coaching in Faridabad. There is a likelihood that many of them may need help with a few topics during self-preparation. The internet is a good source for such individuals and helps them with videos and vast information on various subjects. Plus, you can also find like-minded individuals open for group discussions. So, if you are also facing difficulty in understanding specific topics, get in touch with them, clarify doubts, and share notes. All this will strengthen your preparation and help you learn better.
Access Online Resources
The internet is brimming with study material and information for the UPSC exam. You can get notes and study material quickly on the internet and begin the UPSC preparation the right way. Aspirants can get daily updates on current affairs, video lectures, and more to boost their self-preparation strategy. The best thing about online resources is that they are available 24×7. So, no matter what your study schedule is, the resources will be available to you whenever required.
Taking A Little Time Off The Study Is Crucial
After studying continuously for long hours, it’s important to take short breaks to refresh your mind and relax your body. It is of utmost importance to give your body and mind the time to rejuvenate after a long study session to keep the preparation going healthily. In your free time, do what you love, like indulging in a hobby, socializing with friends or family, and more.
Keep Yourself Motivated
It takes a lot of courage and dedication to go solo in your UPSC IAS preparation. Therefore, it is necessary to take your studies seriously and ensure you are regular at them. Plan your self-learning strategy well and follow it strictly to get success. Work harder and smarter, never lose focus, and keep yourself motivated during your self-learning journey.
Wrapping Up
The vacancies of top Civil Service posts are around 800, and lakhs of aspirants appear for the exam. Cracking the UPSC exam is not less than finding a needle in the haystack – difficult but not impossible. There have been aspirants who’ve cleared the exam and bagged one of those 800 posts through sheer self-learning.
In this online age, you can get all the resources you need to begin your preparation for UPSC. If you are self-motivated and dedication is your forte, then self-preparation is what will suit you best to crack the exam.
We believe that the article has provided you with a good picture of how self-learning can help you crack the UPSC exam. Although, you always have the option to get admission to one of the reputed UPSC coaching in Faridabad. If you have any doubts or questions to ask regarding coaching or the UPSC exam, feel free to write in the comments section below.https://thetrustblog.com/
